Andrés González | Sustainable livestock production: environmental, food, economic, and social necessity

Worldwide, livestock production provides nearly one-third of the protein consumed daily, which is essential for global food and nutrition security. In Latin America and the Caribbean, this activity is not only crucial for the diet of millions but also serves as a cornerstone of the local economy.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in 2022, livestock represented 46% of our region’s agricultural gross domestic product. However, this sector faces significant challenges, including natural resource availability for production, the growing demand for animal protein, and the need for practices that, while profitable, reduce the sector’s environmental impact. These issues require urgent attention to ensure sector sustainability and support food security.

The FAO projects that, by 2050, global demand for animal protein will increase by 20 per cent, presenting an opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean to establish themselves as a strategic supplier. Currently, the region is home to 8.5 per cent of the global population but holds 28 per cent of the world’s cattle herd.

Nevertheless, any increase in livestock production must be balanced with the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity, with a strong focus on sustainability, which calls for immediate action.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

In this context, the FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries and the National Meat Institute of Uruguay, organised the first regional conference for the sustainable transformation of livestock in Latin America and the Caribbean. The event focused on transitioning towards more innovative, resilient, and efficient livestock production systems that reduce environmental impact and improve access to healthy food across various livestock production chains.

In this way, we seek to promote knowledge and experience sharing across the region, to foster synergies and balanced approaches for improving animal productivity and production.

The FAO, along with other entities, has already begun implementing initiatives toward sustainable livestock production. These initiatives integrate solutions based on the optimised management of natural resources, such as climate-smart livestock projects, agroforestry and silvopastoral models, and other best practices related to the circular bioeconomy. Examples include using manure for fertiliser and biofuels and efficiently utilising ecosystem services with their protective and harmonising effects on the environment.

These measures not only optimise resources but also increase soil carbon sequestration. Moreover, integrating species adapted to local conditions, such as tropicalised cattle breeds or South American camelids in high Andean areas, fosters more diverse and resilient production.

These advances require the support of effective public policies. Governments must design incentives that promote sustainability in the livestock sector, facilitating small-scale producers’ access to resources and technologies.

Approaching livestock production from a sustainable perspective is not only an environmental matter but also an economic and social necessity.

Andrés González Serrano, is officer of livestock, animal health, and biodiversity at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com